The Aether Cone is a high end WiFi and Bluetooth speaker system which lets you play music from smartphones, tablets, laptops and more using Bluetooth and WiFi airplay. With its rechargeable battery you can take it anywhere as well – room to room or out and about with you. You’ll get about 8 hours of music from a single charge, impressive!
£300 TO £39? HOW?
When the Cone was originally released a few years ago it retailed for £300. Aether, the parent brand, made a deal with streaming service RDIO for exclusivity on the device, promising features like voice command and intelligent playlists. Unfortunately, in November 2015, RDIO closed its doors and streaming service shut down. Due to the deal with RDIO, Aether was also forced to close, but not before giving the Cone a final update, changing its functionality and exclusive RDIO playback to work as a Bluetooth and WiFi Airplay speaker and enabling Spotify Connect.
We have bought all remaining stock of the Cone and slashed the price from £300 to just £39, meaning you literally will not be able to find a speaker of this quality or sound for anything near this price. Plus it’s exclusive to us so you won’t find the cone at this price anywhere else.
All comments (50)
cjendi
10 Dec 16#1
problem is no free music software to run on it.
would be brilliant if it could still work as it was designed
brilliant speaker though
ant3000
10 Dec 162#2
I'm hoping I'll be able to hook this up with my Amazon Echo dot!
Baz417
10 Dec 16#3
Has anyone bought? Plz let us know if its worth the money considering an abandoned product.
ant3000
10 Dec 16#4
I've bought one! It's gonna be a Xmas pressie but I'll try to remember to write an update on my opinion of it
amour3k to ant3000
11 Dec 16#15
Yes, please do?. :-)
As I'm curious of this thing also, lol.
aabarcellos
10 Dec 161#5
Cheap for a reason
amour3k to aabarcellos
11 Dec 161#13
I don't know about you?, but ...
No.1, £40 for 1 Bluetooth Speaker, is NOT exactly what I'd call cheap???.
No.2, ONLY just under 1.5 weeks ago I came across some 'generic' Bluetooth Speakers at Aldi's for only £25?, and some similarly 'generic' Bluetooth Radio/Speaker for just £10 more!, eg. £35? (both options cheaper than the above ... )
No.3, I've never heard of this Brand also?(so who's to say that this is any better than the 'generic' one's I've mentioned above anyway?).
Your idea of cheap is only relative to your own personal perceptive ideology?, and that's it .....
(Ask someone else the same thing, and they'd blatantly tell you till they're blue in the face, that even at £40, it's still expensive?!, so ..... perception again?, lol). :-)
gold3n_dragon
10 Dec 16#6
I bought this when it was 50£. sound 6/10. build quality 9/10. Bluetooth connection 5/10. For 40£ buy it. better than most Bluetooth speakers out there.
davidfwalsh
10 Dec 16#7
its a great little speaker . ive two of them. work great via bluetooth and wifi. built like a tank and great battery life on them. amazing for rhe price but you cant have them linked as far as im aware.
Derlish
10 Dec 161#8
Word of warning. Connectivity is very patchy. Bluetooth dosn't work with some devices, sometimes it works initially and than it stops forever. Airplay is better but not without problems. Looks and sounds brilliant but it might be an expensive book stop when it stops connecting to your device.
podface1 to Derlish
4 Jan 17#47
Yep mine worked for 6 months but now android devices can't connect
lucyferror
10 Dec 16#9
Lol was 300 few years ago. It means nothing. Things go down in price with time. Xbox one was 429 not long time ago
amour3k to lucyferror
11 Dec 16#14
Exactly!, I fully agree with you, hehehehe. :-)
dereklogan7
10 Dec 161#10
20W, so a decent output. I don't need another speaker but this sounds good at this price. :smiley:
David23
11 Dec 16#11
No AUX input?
jltk87
11 Dec 16#12
Had it connected to my Amazon echo. works well if left connected but Bluetooth connection is hit and miss. connects first time but has a hard time connecting again. Does this for every device I connect to it and with all my other aether cones (I have 3). I agree with gold3n_dragons rating. uses around 3.5 watts on standby if left on which is what I will do with my echo.
ruddas
11 Dec 16#16
The white one is currently $284 and the black one is $200 from amazon.com. So yes £39.97 is cheap.
colourpie
11 Dec 16#17
These are far superior to generic ebay Bluetooth crap. They have been this price for ages but that's not to say it's not a good deal.
amour3k
11 Dec 161#18
That was not the point I was trying to get across in my above original comment?. :-(
The point was raised that they were cheap for a reason?.
And I was simply trying to point out that there could be a wayyyyy better reason as to why they may be cheap?, as opposed to the initial commenters unexplained one? (right or wrong, I at least offered thought's on my reasoning's as I saw it fit at the time right?, similar however, was not initially reciprocated ... )
That's it really?, lol.
FlexR
11 Dec 161#19
Thought it was a light bulb by the thumbnail lol
caoimhin58
11 Dec 16#20
Sure if it doesn't work as a speaker, fill it with ice cream!!! lol
chrisredmayne
11 Dec 16#21
I'm curious about this... but think maybe I should just put the 40 toward another sonos play 1
djdope to chrisredmayne
11 Dec 161#26
One got both. Only used aether cone once. It looks nice but that's about it. The sonos is better in every regard. And it works.
The only advantage with the aether is the battery.
Personally if you don't need airplay then go for a jbl speaker for £50 or sonos play one of you can afford it and don't need the battery
MBeeching
11 Dec 16#22
I dread to think how much money they wasted on R&D, lifestyle marketing videos and pointless proprietary software.
plewis00
11 Dec 161#23
They're cheap because RDIO is defunct and you won't get any support for that or from the manufacturer any more - so there is missing functionality that was originally intended. Not because it's a poor product or the sound quality isn't worth it. And the point is the sound quality is up there with speakers nearer its original price point than cheapo generic speakers for £25 from eBay.
Fiendmish
11 Dec 16#24
I've got two of these. The Bluetooth is a faff on them but both Airplay and Spotify connect have worked flawlessly for me.
Sound wise they're good but quite directional so you need to make sure the speaker is point at you to get the best of of them.
I sold a single Sonos Play 1 to buy two of them (when they were £50). In hindsight I would keep the play 1.
Richief
11 Dec 16#25
Anyone know if you can connect google audio to it?
toner84
11 Dec 16#27
Tempted, even though it doesnt have the original streaming service anymore, the update gives it Spotify connect apparently?
David23
11 Dec 161#28
Looking at various reviews and videos the sound quality doesn't seem all that good, like it was designed for casual radio rather than music listening. It appears to be the quality that you would get from a branded speaker around that reduced price which frankly, with the faffing people have talked about, doesn't seem worth it. You couldn't even use Chromecast Audio with it as it has no inputs. Probably better to get a JBL flip or something and have a better overall experience.
markianedwards
11 Dec 16#29
Need sound in my smallish front room, reckon this will be perfect, cheers op.
Derlish
11 Dec 16#30
Sound wise it's really really good. It has no input like a USB or line in, so if Bluetooth doesn't work for you you are stuck. Air play is hit and miss. The only thing I found working no problem was Spotify connect but that's a paid service.
praff7121
12 Dec 16#31
Confiteor
15 Dec 16#32
Was first listed on here months ago. Bought one then (at about £50) and then bought another two. This is not the typical lightweight bluetooth speaker. It's a premium product with great build quality and very good sound. Can't comment on its Bluetooth performance as our use is Spotify Connect. For that, it's excellent.
Skyhiigh
16 Dec 161#33
Follow-up: Bought two, they're great for £40 each. FAR better quality than something like Anker at £40-ish (I bought and Anker to compare, which got returned even before these arrived it was awful).
Bluetooth works well. Wi-fi connects fine, just a bit of config needed to stream to it. Will be seeing if I can get Echo/Alexa to see it as a device in the near future.
Buying another two for around the house, probably with Echo Dots. Potentially more as nice gifts.
Finally, packaging and product design/finish is superb.
youngstud
19 Dec 16#34
have bought one and I really liked it then bought 5 more for friends who saw and wanted... it's really cheap for the sound and build quality,the WiFi Spotify connection is very easy once you set it up it's always there so there is nothing wrong with it, Bluetooth seemed ok too but I didn't play it in Bluetooth long enough to comment on that as it's much easier with the Spotify connection anywhere in the WiFi range ,no connection loss like you'd get on any Bluetooth device .
I am fussy with my music as I'd like to hear as much detail as I can in the sound range hence try to buy the right item with my budget, this speaker definitely worth so much more than, what ever some other people say without having the item in use. which is very confusing for other people who might be interested in trying this . for example I did read some reviews before I bought and I was struggling as some people's comments were not helping. I also bought for the bedroom too which is nice and handy. looks elegant sleek and different yet sounds great at the same time and the battery life is good too and you can keep it plugged in if you want to. don't waste your money on budget friendly rubbish as I was using a gear4 Bluetooth speaker for the last two years which was around 45 pounds then reduce to 25 ish and I never like the sound but it was ok,after hearing this one I understood that the quality is quality.
as it's not a thinking speaker anymore due to Rdio closing down so it won't listen to you nor play the track you told it to play but it's still a great item with big sound.
laptopsdirect have a great customer service and you can always easily return it as the item has a warranty.
I hope this comment will help some others ...
amour3k
19 Dec 16#35
Ah ok, fair enough, makes more sense when it's spelled out that way I guess?.
Thanx.
Derlish
19 Dec 16#36
Still if you want convenience of a Bluetooth or airplay speaker you might be disappointed when it stops connecting. And when it stops its for good. Going through full reset and doing the firmware upgrade again, and than setting up WiFi only to find that after the first connection your device will never re connect again. Plus if laptops direct where so good at customer service they would have pulled this device with faulty firmware from sale, or paid someone to make another firmware upgrade that addresses the issues. I originally wanted to send my speaker back but they didn't acknowledge that other customers had similar issues and said that if they don't find fault I will be charged for getting it tested and sent back to me.
thegoose126
19 Dec 16#37
EDIT:
OK so it happened, 10 days in and now it won't connect to my echo dot or anything else! Wish I had not taken the gamble now, hoping laptop direct give me a refund!
Just received this today been using it for around an hour. First impressions : Really nice design and premium feel. Bluetooth connected to Amazon dot as simply as anything I have had to connect before. (hopefully this non connection doesn't happen!) Not bothered with apps and WiFi as this isn't something I need. All important sound quality : It's good hard to tell how good but compared to the I luv speaker I have been using its night and day better. There is base and depth and you can tell it was meant to cost more than £40. All in all well worth the punt imo as the sound and design seem so much better than normal speakers especially at this price point. Just hope the reported bugs with Bluetooth don't happen!
dz1
23 Dec 16#38
In a previous deal it was said that the jbl flip 3 has better sound and no problems with Bluetooth that some are having with this.
Wildman to dz1
28 Dec 16#40
JBL Flip 3 is twice the price, no?
ant3000
27 Dec 16#39
Just thought I'd throw my 2p in! Have set this up no worries with the Echo Dot and have got to say I'm pretty impressed with the build quality and sound. It's not quite Sonos (I'd say aroud 65-70% of the quality of a Sonos) but the levels are good. Thumbs up from me!
Wildman
28 Dec 16#41
Too curious to let this pass by, so I've ordered and will report back.
Worth mentioning that if you're an iTunes user on a laptop or desktop you can output to multiple airplay speakers including Apple TV.
dz1
28 Dec 16#42
Now it is, but when I made the comment it was £54 on Amazon.
I'm hoping I'll get even luckier and Apple will sort out multi AirPlay from iOS to also turn it into a multi room device! At the moment my laptop, aether cone, and Apple TV are all out of sync, so I cannot use them in this manner.
bryngreen to Wildman
4 Jan 17#45
Hi mate,
Just looking at buying one of these now, how would you compare this to a UE boom if you've heard both?
Out of 10 what would you score it? The only thing putting me off is the many reviews saying about connectivity, I only intend to use it via bluetooth
Thinking of getting one for my Echo!
Wildman
4 Jan 171#46
Haven't heard the UE Boom I'm afraid. Also I'm only using Airplay, if I get time to have a Bluetooth test I'll update.
Bought one of them thank you :smiley: seemed too good to passup for 30 quid!
Monkeydoodah
17 Feb 17#50
I don't know about you?, but ...
No.1, £40 for 1 Bluetooth Speaker, is NOT exactly what I'd call cheap???.
No.2, ONLY just under 1.5 weeks ago I came across some 'generic' Bluetooth Speakers at Aldi's for only £25?, and some similarly 'generic' Bluetooth Radio/Speaker for just £10 more!, eg. £35? (both options cheaper than the above ... )
No.3, I've never heard of this Brand also?(so who's to say that this is any better than the 'generic' one's I've mentioned above anyway?).
Your idea of cheap is only relative to your own personal perceptive ideology?, and that's it .....
(Ask someone else the same thing, and they'd blatantly tell you till they're blue in the face, that even at £40, it's still expensive?!, so ..... perception again?, lol). :-)[/quote
Having tried a number of Bluetooth speakers - you will not get anywhere near the quality on offer at this price point. The sound is on a par with Sonos, if not better (that is my opinion) ; that was the market that it was being pitched at initially - so that is where they have gone with build quality; trying to get the premium market. but hey, go buy a cheaper speaker...I am sure it will produce some sound....but I very much doubt better than these. I bought two by the way - my only disappointment is I don't think they can be paired; but not too much of an issue.
Opening post
£300 TO £39? HOW?
When the Cone was originally released a few years ago it retailed for £300. Aether, the parent brand, made a deal with streaming service RDIO for exclusivity on the device, promising features like voice command and intelligent playlists. Unfortunately, in November 2015, RDIO closed its doors and streaming service shut down. Due to the deal with RDIO, Aether was also forced to close, but not before giving the Cone a final update, changing its functionality and exclusive RDIO playback to work as a Bluetooth and WiFi Airplay speaker and enabling Spotify Connect.
We have bought all remaining stock of the Cone and slashed the price from £300 to just £39, meaning you literally will not be able to find a speaker of this quality or sound for anything near this price. Plus it’s exclusive to us so you won’t find the cone at this price anywhere else.
All comments (50)
would be brilliant if it could still work as it was designed
brilliant speaker though
As I'm curious of this thing also, lol.
No.1, £40 for 1 Bluetooth Speaker, is NOT exactly what I'd call cheap???.
No.2, ONLY just under 1.5 weeks ago I came across some 'generic' Bluetooth Speakers at Aldi's for only £25?, and some similarly 'generic' Bluetooth Radio/Speaker for just £10 more!, eg. £35? (both options cheaper than the above ... )
No.3, I've never heard of this Brand also?(so who's to say that this is any better than the 'generic' one's I've mentioned above anyway?).
Your idea of cheap is only relative to your own personal perceptive ideology?, and that's it .....
(Ask someone else the same thing, and they'd blatantly tell you till they're blue in the face, that even at £40, it's still expensive?!, so ..... perception again?, lol). :-)
That was not the point I was trying to get across in my above original comment?. :-(
The point was raised that they were cheap for a reason?.
And I was simply trying to point out that there could be a wayyyyy better reason as to why they may be cheap?, as opposed to the initial commenters unexplained one? (right or wrong, I at least offered thought's on my reasoning's as I saw it fit at the time right?, similar however, was not initially reciprocated ... )
That's it really?, lol.
The only advantage with the aether is the battery.
Personally if you don't need airplay then go for a jbl speaker for £50 or sonos play one of you can afford it and don't need the battery
Sound wise they're good but quite directional so you need to make sure the speaker is point at you to get the best of of them.
I sold a single Sonos Play 1 to buy two of them (when they were £50). In hindsight I would keep the play 1.
Bluetooth works well. Wi-fi connects fine, just a bit of config needed to stream to it. Will be seeing if I can get Echo/Alexa to see it as a device in the near future.
Buying another two for around the house, probably with Echo Dots. Potentially more as nice gifts.
Finally, packaging and product design/finish is superb.
I am fussy with my music as I'd like to hear as much detail as I can in the sound range hence try to buy the right item with my budget, this speaker definitely worth so much more than, what ever some other people say without having the item in use. which is very confusing for other people who might be interested in trying this . for example I did read some reviews before I bought and I was struggling as some people's comments were not helping. I also bought for the bedroom too which is nice and handy. looks elegant sleek and different yet sounds great at the same time and the battery life is good too and you can keep it plugged in if you want to. don't waste your money on budget friendly rubbish as I was using a gear4 Bluetooth speaker for the last two years which was around 45 pounds then reduce to 25 ish and I never like the sound but it was ok,after hearing this one I understood that the quality is quality.
as it's not a thinking speaker anymore due to Rdio closing down so it won't listen to you nor play the track you told it to play but it's still a great item with big sound.
laptopsdirect have a great customer service and you can always easily return it as the item has a warranty.
I hope this comment will help some others ...
Thanx.
OK so it happened, 10 days in and now it won't connect to my echo dot or anything else! Wish I had not taken the gamble now, hoping laptop direct give me a refund!
Just received this today been using it for around an hour. First impressions : Really nice design and premium feel. Bluetooth connected to Amazon dot as simply as anything I have had to connect before. (hopefully this non connection doesn't happen!) Not bothered with apps and WiFi as this isn't something I need. All important sound quality : It's good hard to tell how good but compared to the I luv speaker I have been using its night and day better. There is base and depth and you can tell it was meant to cost more than £40. All in all well worth the punt imo as the sound and design seem so much better than normal speakers especially at this price point. Just hope the reported bugs with Bluetooth don't happen!
Worth mentioning that if you're an iTunes user on a laptop or desktop you can output to multiple airplay speakers including Apple TV.
Premium packaging, premium build, £100 product category sound quality. Very happy!
I'm hoping I'll get even luckier and Apple will sort out multi AirPlay from iOS to also turn it into a multi room device! At the moment my laptop, aether cone, and Apple TV are all out of sync, so I cannot use them in this manner.
Just looking at buying one of these now, how would you compare this to a UE boom if you've heard both?
Out of 10 what would you score it? The only thing putting me off is the many reviews saying about connectivity, I only intend to use it via bluetooth
Thinking of getting one for my Echo!
http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/kitsound-contempo-bluetooth-speaker-29-99-ebay-vodafonestore-2592951
No.1, £40 for 1 Bluetooth Speaker, is NOT exactly what I'd call cheap???.
No.2, ONLY just under 1.5 weeks ago I came across some 'generic' Bluetooth Speakers at Aldi's for only £25?, and some similarly 'generic' Bluetooth Radio/Speaker for just £10 more!, eg. £35? (both options cheaper than the above ... )
No.3, I've never heard of this Brand also?(so who's to say that this is any better than the 'generic' one's I've mentioned above anyway?).
Your idea of cheap is only relative to your own personal perceptive ideology?, and that's it .....
(Ask someone else the same thing, and they'd blatantly tell you till they're blue in the face, that even at £40, it's still expensive?!, so ..... perception again?, lol). :-)[/quote
Having tried a number of Bluetooth speakers - you will not get anywhere near the quality on offer at this price point. The sound is on a par with Sonos, if not better (that is my opinion) ; that was the market that it was being pitched at initially - so that is where they have gone with build quality; trying to get the premium market. but hey, go buy a cheaper speaker...I am sure it will produce some sound....but I very much doubt better than these. I bought two by the way - my only disappointment is I don't think they can be paired; but not too much of an issue.